Fitzroy Island Cruises

On land there is a resort with licensed bar, restaurants and cafes. The island also has several walking trails, which range from the gentle to the strenuous.

For a short walk in the shade, visit the Secret Gardens, or for the more adventurous, there is the 3.6km return Lighthouse Walk or the 4.4km return Summit Track. Both of the latter offer excellent views over the surrounding Coral Sea, but we do recommend taking some water, a hat and sunscreen.

There are also a lot of optional activities on Fitzroy Island, including kayak tours, snorkelling, scuba diving and enjoying the inflatable in-water trampoline.

Underwater visibility varies with the tides and currents and the waters are generally pretty calm.

Fitzroy Island is a continental island 30km from Cairns. A continental island is an island that was once connected to the mainland, but became separated when sea water levels rose.

Travel time from Cairns is usually around 45 minutes on high speed, modern catamarans. Day trips are available, or you can choose to stay at the newly refurbished hotel. There is even a camping ground.

Fitzroy Island is 339 hectares, the majority of which is protected National Park. It comprises a wide variety of terrain and vegetation including fringing tropical reefs, coral beaches, mangroves, open woodland and rainforest.

Historically, Fitzroy Island was a fishing, hunting and gathering location for the region’s indigenous peoples. In the late 1880s it was a quarantine station for miners heading to the Cooktown goldfields, before later becoming a mission, then a pearling base and in World War II, an artillery gun base.

Today, Fitzroy Island is a popular Cairns day tour choice for locals and visitors. Cairns Dive Adventures has visited the island several times and is happy to provide unbiased trip reviews and advice. Fitzroy Island is suitable for swimmers and non-swimmers.